Makeup & nails

Perfect nails: How to maintain a natural manicure

Sometimes you need to put down the nail polish dotter, the polish pen and the four different nail polish colours that you usually use for an intricate nail art look. Step away, friends, and switch it up with a natural manicure. When we say natural we’re not talking, rough, or unfinished, A natural manicure means you need to pay extra attention to filing, buffing and even polishing (if you’re going with a slick nude shade), because every little detail, cuticle, rough patch will show. Leanne Colley, Revlon Nail Expert, gives us the best tips on creating and maintaining a natural manicure. It all starts with the nails and cuticles If you’re going completely natural and skipping the nail art trend, making sure you nails and cuticles are in peek form is essential. Here’s how Colley keeps them looking fresh.

Proper steps for buffing and filing When sporting a natural hue or going completely bare with your nails, buffing out ridges and proper filing will make your nails look clean and beautiful. Here’s how to do it in three steps: 1. “Always use a fine grit buffer,” says Colley. “Buffers are intended to remove scratches and smooth the surface.” Colley recommends the Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer.

2. Lightly buff the natural nail with the fine side of the buffer (5 seconds a nail maximum), wipe off any debris and use the shine side. Amp up the shine by applying more pressure.

3. “Shaping and filing the nails should always be done with a very fine file,” advises Colley. “Using a harsher file can be vigorous and may weaken the nail and create splitting. File from side to center with single strokes.”

Finally, if you want to still have a coat of polish on your nails, maintain your natural look by opting for a sheer or nude polish colour. “Light concrete and mossy shades, beige nudes and sheer pinks are most universally flattering,” says Colley.

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Natural nail care: Top 10 essentials

Natural nail care: The hand scrub

Natural factor: Shea butter extract, grape seed oil and organic sugar How to use: Clean up your nail bed and nix dry skin by rubbing this gentle exfoliating scrub all over hands to enjoy a luxe at-home spa experience any day of the week. L'Occitane One Minute Hand Scrub ($24), at Sephora, sephora.ca. GALLERY: The best organic moisturizers

Natural nail care: Top 10 essentials

Natural nail care: The cuticle oil

Natural factor: Vitamin E, safflower seed, apricot kernel and wheat germ oil How to use: Revive peeling skin cells by working this natural apricot oil into the cuticle of each finger for stronger, brighter and more beautiful nails you’ll be proud to show off. Sally Hansen Vitamin E Moisturizing Nail and Cuticle Oil ($7.49), at drugstores and mass-market retailers across Canada. GALLERY: The best cuticle oils

Natural nail care: Top 10 essentials

Natural nail care: The base coat

Natural factor: Argan oil and micro-algae extract How to use: Shield nails from damage, chipping and polish stain using this natural base coat with micro-algae to strengthen weak nails and encourage lightening-fast growth. Essie Grow Faster Base Coat ($9.99), at professional salons and leading retailers across Canada. Must-read: How to get strong and healthy nails

Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Sarah Thompson
Source: Courtesy of Essie

Natural nail care: Top 10 essentials

Natural nail care: The top coat Natural nail care: The top coat

Natural factor: Vegan, gluten free, water-based and biodegradable How to use: Glide this organic top coat over your favourite shade of polish for extra shine that won’t dehydrate nails or dull your colour. (Your esthetician would definitely approve.) Scotch Naturals On the Rocks Top Coat ($15.50), at nailpolishcanada.com. GALLERY: 7 best top coats